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Government sets aside $39 million for disaster recovery for flooding, wildfires

Overland flooding is pictured in the County of 40 Mile this springCHAT News Today File Photo

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The provincial government will be providing funding for communities affected by flooding this spring and fires last fall.

More than $39 million dollars will be made available through both the Disaster Recovery Program and the Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program to help communities recover.

A total of 33 communities and irrigation districts across the province will be receiving $29.1 million for overland flooding this spring, including four in southeastern Alberta. Homeowners, tenants, small businesses and agriculture operations will be allowed to apply for the funding.

The Municipal District of Taber will receive $2.3 million, the County of 40 Mile will receive $933,000, the Town of Taber will receive $146,000 and the Village of Foremost will receive $53,000.

For fires, $1.9 million has been set aside for Cardston County, Municipal District of Acadia, Cypress County and Wheatland County under the Municipal Wildfire Assistance Program.

Shaye Anderson, Minister of Municipal Affairs, says the government is also focused on ensuring the communities are prepared for future disasters due to changing weather patterns.

“It’s really apparent that climate change has become a very big deal for us,” he said over the phone from Edmonton. “The frequency and speed, for example, from overland flooding or those wildfires, they come at us fast and hard. If we’re not working together and ready for it, there’s going to be come issues.”

Anderson says applications for the programs will be set up in the coming months.